Establishments in the Open Commercial Zone of Calle Real, in Lanzarote's capital, are adjusting their hours to open on holidays and Sundays when cruise ships dock. This adaptation is planned months in advance, allowing merchants to organize their work shifts.
During the current term, the Municipal Government has urged small businesses and the hospitality sector in the city center to benefit from the presence of thousands of potential shoppers arriving on these vessels. Previously, many of these businesses remained closed during holiday or Sunday calls.
Businesses selling accessories, fashion, perfumery, souvenirs, footwear, and gastronomy are now operating with special hours coinciding with these calls. A recent example was Sunday, April 19, with the arrival of the cruise ships Queen Victoria, Marella Voyager, and the boutique ship World Voyager, which transported thousands of cruise passengers.
“"Between January and December 2025, Arrecife achieved a record in cruise passenger arrivals with a total of 663,396 passengers, an increase of 8.72% compared to 2024."
The Arrecife City Council, through its Department of Commerce and Tourism, is promoting a strategy to consolidate Arrecife as a shopping capital. Cruise tourism represents one of the main strengths for the local economy, contributing over 30% of the business activity in the state ports of the province of Las Palmas.
The Department of Tourism has launched the tourist guide Arrecife on tour, available in three languages, which highlights the city's attractions and shopping opportunities. Products in these stores offer an economic advantage compared to the Peninsula or other areas of the European Union due to the application of IGIC in the Canary Islands, a lower tax rate than VAT.
